Presenteeism is a hot topic in HR circles these days. Simply stated, it is the concept of employees clocking in to work, being physically present at their job, but their mind is a million miles away. Other matters are weighing heavy, and it may be difficult for them to focus solely on the task at hand. Their minds swirl, they remain distracted, and their worry takes precedence over their work. Productivity declines as the employees’ anxiety gains momentum. As anxiety grows, depression often follows. The cycle continues to gain momentum resulting in the employee spiraling, their work continuing to suffer, and the potential of it affecting overall employee morale skyrockets. This phenomenon creates a challenging situation for any employer.
The concept of distracted employees is not new. People are whole entities with active lives beyond the boundaries of the workplace. This has always been the case. What is different, however, are the rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and general worry reported among modern employees. Today’s distractions are not typically positive. This creates a precarious position for management. Often, they feel their hands are tied as they observe, with frustration, on the sidelines.
Maybe the solution does not lie in management, but rather, it is as simple as teaching the employees a life skill? People in general will not be focused and will certainly not take risks unless they feel safe. Why do some people chronically worry? Maybe they do not know how to ground and focus. By learning how to center themselves and incorporating grounding skills into their training, they will be better equipped to focus and prioritize.
By applying these skills to their work environment, employees will be better equipped to combat outside stressors and concentrate on the task at hand. Grounding is not time consuming; rather, it is an exercise in mindfulness that can translate into all areas of our lives. Simply put, it is a work skill that is also a life skill. These science-based, comprehensive exercises will help your staff cultivate a sense of inner peace throughout their daily lives, and will also provide the tools to enhance the mindfulness all who practice them or are affected by those who incorporate them into their lives.
